New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-19
A POKER GAME.
From The Aamv,iie American.


The late Captain Jack Dashell in his long service
on the Cumberland witnessed many stirring scenes OF
which lie tired talking to his frtonds Speak
ing OF csrdplayng on the pioneer steamboats, he onee
said
ayes 1t was real pleasure to witness one OF those
old-tashoped games. Why, I've wives aud sweet
hearts sit behind the chairs OF their husbands and
lovers and watch with eager interest the exciting
play. Rich brandies and wines aud hno cigars were
convenient, aud the game flowed on with seldom
rough word The stakes did grow to rather exorbtant
PROPORTIONS sometimes, 1t must be confessed but men
need excitement, you know, and those men had the
nerve to bullion circulated without manIestipg
much trepidaton at the result $50
"what the biggest game you ever sawf
THAT question IL rather hard to answer. Let me
see. think il was one played on the lonka IN the
ihirties Oh yes. recoliect distinctly, and the man
that WOO t was a good one. had lett New
Orleans on the return trip TO Nashville, aud among
the passengers were eOodly number OF planters
whose pockets jinged heavily with the coin brought
by the e OF their produce. There was one young
fellow, remember, who boarded us at New-Orleans,
saying he was on q pleasure jaunt to Nashville. dc
tall, slender youth, upoa whose lips the iaint
traces OF mustsche betokened manhood which
otherwise gut have been doubted lie was singular
iy handsome fine specimen OF the aristocratIc
Creole His garments were fasnionably cut and OF
rich texture. lie wore no jewelry save deicately
moulded watch chain. which passed around his neck
and solitaire diamond which flashed lustrously upon
his dark skinned hand He was apparently wealthy,
but made display OF his money that u.s. tor several
aays. We had been out some time and things were
moving quite merrily, when some one proposed poker
That nothing unusual, ana paid no attention to
served, the wines passed around and everybody
mcllcw for fun. table was cleared, new decR OF
cards brought out by the clerk and the party squared
themselves Tor play. IL composed OF three
planters, old acquaintanccs OF mine from this section,
and the young Creole. passed the quartette as the
frat nand being dealt, and with wish that they
might enjoy tnemselS Gs went to the hurricane deck
did not come do wn until supper time. The players
still sat at their places, ana eager lookerson hung
the chsrs and watched the progress OF the
1t ad been played with wavering fortrnes aud the
stakes. at first small, had become consdcra lc The
Creole. from loser. had become heavy winner; lie
cool as an iceberg, aud played his hand like
veteran. His broad felt hat Was pulled down over
his eyes; an embroidered bag containing gold was
him the table, and he tossed out his coins
the glittering wheels were so much dross lie won
and lost with equal indifference, but hls pouch grew
steadily larger. | became more AM more interested
and intenlly watched the play. Finally Jackpot
was declared The deal was made and one OF the
planters opened 1t tor $500. rhe Others stayed The
painters discarded. the opener calling Tor two cares.
the Others ,hree. but the Creole stood pat Con-
sdersbv So 600 were in the Jot when the three
drew IN the nope OF lettering The planter no had
opeued bet $500 the one next to him called; the
wife OF the third stood at his chair and, laying her
hand on his shoulder begged him IL stop ing he
had already lost heavily, aud as his draw was not
the right. 1t was his turn to speak. He put hs hand
his faney ba end said: SCENT emen, l will have
raise yor $1,000 His tones we're liquid, quiet and
cool not the faintest tremor OF the hand was PET
ceptible he pot red ont glt,erDg heap OF gold to
the amount he had naned. He braeed himself in tie
char. looked steadily at the table and awai'ed
results He had stood pat the opener the pot had
three aces, and the other planter two pai' The
opener resolved ia his mind the ability OF tbrees TO
beat the pat. CouId the Creole he bluthngf He bad
played his hand like 10 vas n wirner bis gold had
been uniinchingly laid the table. The spectators
breathlessly awaited the next movement The Ilay-
ers were silent for full minute. The opener finally
with muitered sxciama, on threw his hand 10 the
deck; the other planter followed suit. The Creole
gently raked the coins into his pouch. As he con-
Guided the pleading task he gent, tipped back his
hat bis eyes, and they were black they fairly
shone. carelessly rested up)n HE opponents, and
vita mild inquiry, Would you like TO the hand
that beat you. gentem~n lac spread his cards Upon
the table their faces upward We all beat forward
To inspect them thoagbI he had iuil straight
certainly. What dad he hayei Not single pair aud